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Relativistic spin precession in the double pulsar.
Rene P Breton1, Victoria M Kaspi, Michael Kramer
1Department of Physics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2T8, Canada. bretonr@physics.mcgill.ca
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 5, 2008
Summary
Researchers studied the double pulsar PSR J0737-3039A/B, using its eclipses to test Einstein
Area of Science:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- General Relativity and Gravitational Physics
Background:
- The double pulsar PSR J0737-3039A/B system features two neutron stars in a highly relativistic orbit.
- An observable phenomenon in this system is a ~30-second eclipse when pulsar A passes behind pulsar B.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the eclipse of pulsar A by pulsar B using a geometric model.
- To measure the relativistic spin precession of pulsar B's spin axis.
- To test Einstein's theory of general relativity in the strong-field regime.
Main Methods:
- A simple geometric model was employed to describe the eclipse morphology.
- The model was used to measure the relativistic spin precession rate of pulsar B.
Main Results:
- The eclipse morphology was successfully characterized.
- The relativistic spin precession rate of pulsar B was measured at 4.77 degrees per year.
- The measured precession rate is consistent with general relativity predictions within 13% uncertainty.
Conclusions:
- The study validates the use of pulsar eclipses for testing fundamental physics.
- The findings provide strong support for general relativity in the strong-field regime.
- The results demonstrate the system's utility for probing alternative theories of gravity.
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